Opinion

Editorial: Not illegal, but wrong

We have a right to expect a higher standard of conduct from Ontario’s Liberal government than the fact a senior aide to Premier Kathleen Wynne, and a Liberal fundraiser, have been acquitted of bribery charges in connection with the 2015 Sudbury byelection.

On Tuesday, Judge Howard Borenstein dismissed the charges against Pat Sorbara (who stepped down when she was charged) and Liberal fundraiser Gerry Lougheed.

The judge gave a “directed verdict” — before the defence started its case — saying no reasonable jury would convict Sorbara or Lougheed of attempting to bribe would-be Liberal candidate Andrew Olivier not to run in the Sudbury byelection, based on Ontario’s Election Act.

It states a “candidate” cannot be offered bribes to run or not run for office.

Borenstein found Olivier was never a “candidate” because Wynne had already decided he would not be running for the Liberals, which was her right, before Sorbara and Wynne spoke to him about possible opportunities within the Liberal party.

Sorbara was also acquitted of attempting to induce former federal NDP MP Glenn Thibeault, now Wynne’s energy minister, to run for the Liberals in the byelection.

The judge said her offer of campaign jobs to two of Thibeault’s staff did not amount to bribery.

So, nothing illegal. That said, this whole sorry affair has never passed the smell test.

It started because Wynne decided Olivier, a dedicated, 37-year-old, loyal Liberal, who happens to be quadrapelgic, wasn’t good enough for her to run in the byelection as the Liberal candidate.

Olivier was the Liberal standard-bearer in the 2014 general election, narrowly losing to the NDP, after the incumbent Liberal MPP retired.

When the NDP victor unexpectedly retired in 2015, Wynne denied the nomination to Olivier, a loyal Liberal with a disability, in favour of a federal New Democrat MP, who had to be cajoled into running for the party.

Wynne’s decision was affirmative action in reverse. So much for giving people with disabilities every possible opportunity, which Wynne is constantly lecturing private sector employers to do. And so much for party loyalty.

In the end, Wynne got what she wanted. Thibeault won.

But the way she did it helps to explain why so many people are disillusioned with politics today. And why barely 50% vote.